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A Comparative Study Of Visual Problems Between Video Display Terminal Operators In A Developed And A Developing Country, Blessing F. Adeoye

Masters Theses

The work presented in this research study examined the visual problems between Video Display Terminal (VDT) operators in a developed and a developing country. Specifically, this study compared the responses of a group of 67 VDT operators in Nigeria and the United States of America. The study addressed the following questions that have remained unanswered for many years: 1. What are the most common VDT visual hazards? 2. Are these problems the same in the USA and Nigeria? 3. Are these visual problems work related? To accomplish this research study, a survey eliciting opinions of computer operators about the visual …

Student Evaluations Of Teaching Effectiveness: The Interpretation Of Observational Data And The Principle Of Faute De Mieux, B. Burt Gerstman

Faculty Publications

Student opinion surveys are important but widely misunderstood tools for evaluating teaching effectiveness. In this brief review, an analogy is drawn between the use and interpretation of observational data for public health and biomedical research and the use of student opinion data in evaluating teach ing effectiveness. Sources of systematic error in the form of selection bias, information bias, and confounding are defined and illustrated. Original data concerning intermittent "quid pro quo" confounding (i.e., the effect of expected grades on student evaluations of teaching) are presented. Finally, the principle of faute de mieux ("lack of anything better") and the interpretation …

Attachment Theory And Self-Disclosure Of Hiv Status, Amy H. Grimshaw

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the influence of attachment style on self-disclosure of HIV seropositive status. Subjects were classified according to Bartholomew's model of adult attachment (i.e., secure, preoccupied, fearful, or dismissing). Steps were then taken to assess differences in the subjects' willingness to disclose their HIV seropositive status, the communication style chosen for disclosure, the subjects' perceptions of the importance of disclosing their HIV seropositive status, and the feared negative consequences of disclosure. To increase generalizability subjects were asked to assess their self-disclosure to three types of target persons: lover, same-sex friend, and opposite-sex friend. Attachment style significantly affected perceived importance …

Practice Nurses And Hepatitis B : Preventative Actions And Their Relationship To Health Beliefs, Helen Le Sueur

Theses : Honours

Hepatitis B is a major, largely undiagnosed disease in the community and nurses working in doctors' surgeries (practice nurses) undertake many clinical tasks which may expose them to the Hepatitis B virus. Using the Health Belief Model as the theoretical framework, the purpose of this correlational-descriptive study was to determine what actions are taken, by practice nurses in Western Australia to protect themselves against Hepatitis B, and to what extent their health beliefs contribute to those actions. A response rate of 59% (118) was obtained from an anonymous, confidential questionnaire sent to a random sample of 200 practice nurses in …

Women’S-Perceived Quality In Postpartum Care, Maryland A. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Increased competition among healthcare organizations for the obstetric consumer market has led to increased interest in women’s perceptions of their obstetric experience. This study explored women’s perceptions of quality and women’s perceptions of benefits for women who received family-centered postpartum care (FCPPC) and women who received traditional postpartum care (TPPC). The study also assessed the relationship between women’s-perceived quality (WPQ) and women’s-perceived benefit (WPB) for those receiving FCPPC and those receiving TPPC. Quality and beneficence are the two concepts of Larrabee’s (1992) model of quality operationalized in this study. The sample consisted of 60 postpartum women, 30 receiving care on …

Ua12/2/1 Phase - Drugs On Campus, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Special magazine edition of the College Heights Herald:

• Grundy, Julie. Reality Check: We’re a Town That Has Drugs – Rebecca Maldonado, Student Health Services
• Bernardy, Patrick. Local Drug Use: A Slow But Steady Rise – WKU Police, Audrey Spies
• Quarles, Mitchell. Know the Downers: Jail, Fines, Probation
• Hutchins, Chris. I Did It Because It Was Fun . . . I Did Them to Escape – Drug Abuse
• Bernardy, Patrick. Marijuana No Worse than Alcohol
• Hieb, Dan. Drugs Steal Freedom; Don’t Create It

The Aids Project Newsline, Vol.7, No.2 (November 1994), Eve Cimmel, The Aids Project

AIDS Project Newsline (1991-1996)

No abstract provided.

Correlates And Consequences Of Early Initiation Of Sexual Intercourse, Ann L. Coker, Donna L. Richter, Robert F. Valois, Robert E. Mckeown, Carol Z. Garrison, Murray L. Vincent

CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles

This cross-sectional analysis of the 1991 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey explored factors associated with an early age at first sexual intercourse. Almost 18% of White males, 49% of Black males, 5% of White females and 12% of Black females were sexually active before age 13. Carrying a weapon to school, fighting, and early (< age 13) experimentation with cigarettes and alcohol were associated with early initiation of sexual activity for all four race and gender groupings. Those initiating sexual activity early had greater numbers of partners but were 50% less likely to use condoms regularly and were two-seven times more likely to have been pregnant or caused a pregnancy. Females who initiated sexual activity early were more likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Interventions to postpone sexual activity need to be tailored to the ethnic and gender differences observed in these analyses. Interventions must begin before age 13 and should be comprehensive school-based efforts.

An Assessment Of Associations Between Selected Health Practices And Mental Wellness, Ginger Bomar

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between mental well-being and selected health behaviors. A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 490 students at Western Kentucky University during the 1993 Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Study participants completed the Participant Data Sheet, General Weil-Being Schedule, and the Health Behavior Instrument. The data were gathered and analyzed via correlation analysis which revealed a relationship between mental well-being and certain health behaviors. The correlations between general well-being and selected health behaviors were stronger among males than females. There was a relationship found between mental well-being and hours …

Psychosocial Determinants Of Age-Appropriate Immunizations Of Infants In Norfolk, Virginia, Hoda Youssef Atta

Health Services Research Dissertations

This study represents an investigation of psychosocial factors affecting age-appropriate immunizations of infants in Norfolk, Virginia. A household survey was conducted in Norfolk, Virginia, from 4/93-8/93, to assess immunization coverage of children 12-30 months of age. This survey included a total of 389 children in the target age range. A subset of 201 mothers were randomly selected and reinterviewed to assess their knowledge and attitudes and the relationships of these factors to age-appropriate immunizations at 12 months of age. Sixty-two percent of children were not age-appropriately immunized at 12 months of age. Almost all mothers (99%) considered vaccines to be …

Vol. 17 No. 3 (1994): Pacific Studies Front Matter, The Jonathan Nāpela Center For Hawaiian And Pacific Islands Studies

Pacific Studies

Pacific Studies is published two times a year by The Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Studies, Brigham Young University Hawai‘i #1979, 55–220 Kulanui Street, Lāʻie, Hawai‘i 96762, but responsibility for opinions expressed in the articles rests with the authors alone. Subscription rate is US$40.00 yearly, payable to The Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Studies. The Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Studies (formerly The Pacific Institute) is an organization funded by Brigham Young University Hawai‘i. The Center assists the University in meeting its cultural and educational goals by undertaking a program of teaching, research, and …

Vol. 17 No. 3 (1994): Pacific Studies Full Issue, The Jonathan Nāpela Center For Hawaiian And Pacific Islands Studies

Pacific Studies

Pacific Studies is published two times a year by The Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Studies, Brigham Young University Hawai‘i #1979, 55–220 Kulanui Street, Lāʻie, Hawai‘i 96762, but responsibility for opinions expressed in the articles rests with the authors alone. Subscription rate is US$40.00 yearly, payable to The Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Studies. The Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian and Pacific Studies (formerly The Pacific Institute) is an organization funded by Brigham Young University Hawai‘i. The Center assists the University in meeting its cultural and educational goals by undertaking a program of teaching, research, and …

Contributors: Vol 17 No. 3, The Jonathan Nāpela Center For Hawaiian And Pacific Islands Studies

Pacific Studies

Contributors list of Vol. 17 (1994): Pacific Studies Full Issue 3

Books Received And Book Notices, The Jonathan Nāpela Center For Hawaiian And Pacific Islands Studies

Pacific Studies

Book Listing for the Vol 17, No 3 Edition of the Pacific Studies Journal

Aging And Exercise: A Health Perspective, Joanna L. Bokovoy, Steven N. Blair

Faculty Publications

Habitual exercise provides protection against fatal coronary heart disease, extends longevity, and enhances quality of life. National surveys show less physical activity in older men and women compared with middle-aged and younger persons; older women are particularly sedentary. Although there are still few longitudinal studies on exercise and physical activity in older individuals, the data support a positive relationship between physical activity and health function in older individuals. The data further show that with regular physical activity, health and fitness are maintained or even increased over time in older individuals. Studies on physical activity requirements for beneficial health effects in …

Mass Media And Environmental Risk: Seven Principles, Peter M. Sandman

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Dr. Sandman suggests that, when spokespersons for risk sources are inept in conveying their messages, they and we pay heavily for their mistakes.

Inhalant Abuse In The Pacific Islands: Gasoline Sniffing In Chuuk, Federated States Of Micronesia, Mac Marshall, Rocky Sexton, Lee Insko

Pacific Studies

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Prepregnancy Weight And Maternal Weight Gain : On Birth Weight Among Black Wic Participants In San Bernardino County, Marta Lukas Sovyanhadi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Birth records show that San Bernardino County has the highest black infant mortality rate of the 16 counties in California with the largest proportion of African-Americans births. Although total infant deaths in San Bernardino County had fallen to 8.6 per 1,000 live births by 1992, the infant mortality rate among the black population of the county was close to two times higher at 16.8 per 1,000. This is the first study to address the high infant mortality rate among blacks in San Bernardino County. Factors which may affect the black infant mortality rate were examined.

Subjects were drawn from a …

Patient Perceptions Of Quality: The Influence Of Value And Beneficence, Rebecca H. Waldon

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The influence of patient values and patient perception of benefits on patient perceptions of quality have not been extensively investigated, even though patient and provider perceptions of quality have been widely studied. Refocusing quality assessment and improvement to include factors that influence patient perceptions of quality is necessary for humanitarian and economic reasons. The health care patient has certain expectations of health care. These expectations are based on the value the patient places on the services. Value is a predictor of patient-perception of quality. The relative worth of patient goals may also be related to patient perceptions of quality. If …

Managing Occupational Hazards Confronting Healthcare Workers, Kiran A. Mody

Theses

The primary goal of this thesis is to identify, evaluate, and control occupational hazards that may exist in health care facilities.

Due to the complex nature of health care facilities, healthcare workers are always challenged by an imposing group of occupational hazards. The magnitude and diversity of these hazards, and the constantly changing nature of government regulations make it difficult to guarantee absolute protection and accuracy of the material contained herein. However, awareness of the risks, compliance with basic preventive measures, and adequate interventions are all essential components to consider in protecting healthcare workers.

Therefore, potential health effects of various …

An Assessment Of Four-Hour Sample Durations Used To Determine Full-Shift Noise Exposures In A Foundry, Vince Marlo Fleming

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Full-shift sampling, usually eight hours, is traditionally performed to assess daily occupational noise exposure. This sampling approach is inefficient, and costly for repeated, long-term exposure evaluations. This study assessed the use of four-hour sample durations and subsequent data analysis to determine daily occupational noise exposures in a foundry. The four-hour sample durations were extracted from full-shift samples and analyzed on their ability to provide valid data for estimating mean daily noise exposure levels without significantly affecting sampling precision or accuracy. Results of this study indicate four-hour sample durations can be used successfully to estimate full-shift noise exposures provided certain criteria …

The Identification And Magnitude Estimation Of Occupational Stressors In The Industrial Hygiene Profession, Judith Hinch

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The industrial hygiene professional is responsible for the evaluation and control of hazards in the workplace. Job stress has been identified as a factor affecting the health, safety and productivity of workers and can be considered a workplace hazard.

This study involved the development of an instrument to identify and quantify sources of stress within a give profession. The industrial hygiene profession was chosen, though the method can be, and has been, used to evaluate stress in other groups of individuals. The method involved the identification of the most significant sources of stress by surveying a small number of the …

Ua12/4 Commuter Link, Vol. 2, No. 2, Wku Health Services

WKU Administration Documents

Newsletter created for non-traditional students returning to WKU.

The Effects Of Organizational Culture On Quality Of Life For Older Veterans, Michelle Diane Stone

Dissertations

The organizational culture in a Veteran's Administration Medical Center (VAMC) was described using triangulated methods which included both secondary quantitative survey data, and internal documentary data sources. The initial survey data collected, from staff and elder veterans revealed an overall positive perception from both samples regarding the quality of life for elder veterans living on extended care wards. The study investigated the extent to which the VAMC's organizational culture affected these perceptions of quality of life.

Documentary data were collected from a variety of VAMC sources regarding behaviors, ideologies, leadership trends, mechanisms of control, and the formal organizational structure. A …

The Effect Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Education Program On Knowledge, Attitudes And Sexual Behavior Of Selected College Students, Arlene Jaine Jackson Montgomery

Health Services Research Dissertations

The problem studied in this investigation was whether a behaviorally focused Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Program affects the knowledge, sexual attitudes and sexual behavior of college students.

Three hundred and six first-and third-year college students were included in the study from one university located in Southeastern Virginia. The sample was predominately female, African-American and mainly between the ages of 16-22 years of age.

Freshmen students were presently enrolled in the institution's HIV/AIDS education program, which was a part of a required course. The class sessions consisted of a pretest prior to student's completing the reading assignment …

Quantitative Economic Evaluations Of Hiv-Related Prevention And Treatment Services: A Review, David R. Holtgrave, Ronald O. Valdiserri, Gary A. West

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Dr. Holtgrave and colleagues at the CDC set forth an extensive taxonomy of HIV prevention and treatment services and review reports of efforts to subject some of those services to formal economic evaluation. They find few services thus far to have been so evaluated, no evaluation to have focused solely upon behavioral outcomes and most economic evaluations to lack formal quantitative analyses.

Acceptability Of First Trimester Medical Abortion, Beverly Winikoff

Reproductive Health

Unwanted pregnancy is a serious and stressful problem for women. As stated in this paper, technologies that afford safe and effective abortion are well accepted and provide relief from a great difficulty. Many women fear surgery and will go far to avoid it. There is substantial apprehension about general anesthesia during surgery and also fear that local anesthesia may not prevent pain. This leads to a high demand for a medical abortion alternative. Some women consider that the quick and definitive surgical alternative is easier; some find that swallowing a pill is easier. Privacy is greatly valued. Medical abortion technology …

Family Planning And Reproductive Health: Briefing Sheets For A Gender Analysis, Kirsten Moore, Debbie Rogow

Reproductive Health

This series of briefing sheets, developed by the Population Council, represents a starting point for the application of gender to the family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) arena. The information covers five key areas of RH: gender-based abuse, FP and gender issues among adolescents, sexuality and FP, men’s and women’s social and economic responsibilities for childrearing, and the complicated nexus between gender and FP/RH. In so doing, it provides a strong foundation for gender training. This concept was first developed to fulfill a need for gender training within the regional Operations Research/Technical Assistance Projects. To date, two such workshops …

Community-Based Aids Prevention And Care In Africa: Case Studies From Five African Countries, Ann Leonard

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council carried out a three-year project entitled “Community-Based AIDS Prevention and Care in Africa: Building on Local Initiatives.” Given the constraints faced by the health care infrastructure in responding to the AIDS crisis and the limitations of traditional educational approaches in motivating people to modify their sexual behavior, in the African context community-based AIDS prevention and care of those affected are the first line of defense against the infection. This project was developed to explore efforts by organizations in Africa dealing directly with the consequences of AIDS, to understand the essential components of effective community-based efforts for AIDS …

Profile Of Clients Of Different Providers Of Family Planning Services In Egypt, Social Planning, Analysis & Administration Consultants (Spaac)

Reproductive Health

The Government of Egypt launched its national family planning (FP) program in 1966. The early phase was mainly supply oriented and aimed at ensuring wide distribution of contraceptives primarily through pharmacies to meet rising demand. Between 1988 and 1992 a number of additional sources of FP services appeared, with an increase in clinic-based services through both the private and public sectors. In 1992 about one-fourth of users relied on pharmacies to get their FP supplies compared to about one-half in 1988. This change evolved through the influence of two forces: the initiation of a number of FP projects, and expanded …